Houzz Tour: A Bright Family Home With an Open-plan Layout
This modern house has personality galore thanks to clever colour, graphic pattern and simple décor
When this detached modern property was snapped up by its owners, it hadn’t been decorated since the 1990s, so it required a bit of sensitive updating.
The whole house was typical of the decade, with “dark-stained window frames, overly ornate brassware and beige everywhere”, according to designer Clare Altarafi of Clare Elise Interiors, who was charged with refreshing the property. “It was crying out for a fresh, considered, contemporary makeover,” she says.
The whole house was typical of the decade, with “dark-stained window frames, overly ornate brassware and beige everywhere”, according to designer Clare Altarafi of Clare Elise Interiors, who was charged with refreshing the property. “It was crying out for a fresh, considered, contemporary makeover,” she says.
The owners were keen to start revamping the property soon after moving in. “The brief was to make the downstairs more workable for a young family and add more style and personality, keeping some classic elements but bringing them up to date with contemporary designs,” Clare says.
“There was also a big emphasis on helping the owners navigate away from their previously safe style of neutral tones.”
“There was also a big emphasis on helping the owners navigate away from their previously safe style of neutral tones.”
Clare’s passion is for colour – and that shines throughout the home. “Bright colours are a running theme in all the rooms, bringing cohesion to the house as a whole,” she says.
Rich blue walls give the living room a welcoming atmosphere. “They help to create that snug-but-luxurious boutique hotel vibe,” Clare says. “We love a dark painted or wallpapered room and often persuade clients over to the ‘dark side’. Even if it’s only in one room in the house, it adds so much personality and drama.
“The blue here is the perfect backdrop for the jewel-like colours in the cushions and the geometric pattern on the blinds,” she adds.
“The blue here is the perfect backdrop for the jewel-like colours in the cushions and the geometric pattern on the blinds,” she adds.
Don’t underestimate the power of the humble cushion, Clare says. “They’re the best way to transform the look and feel of a room without too much commitment.”
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Corner sofa, Sofa.com.
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Corner sofa, Sofa.com.
This house already had a great sense of space, Clare says, but it needed a few crafty changes to make it work better day-to-day.
“Originally, the kitchen was at the front – not that practical for a young family who love spending time in their garden,” she says. “It made sense to move it to the back and, in the process, remove one of the load-bearing walls separating a long double reception room from the new kitchen. This opened up the space and created some flow at the back.
“Sliding doors also replaced a large window in the kitchen-diner,” she adds.
“Originally, the kitchen was at the front – not that practical for a young family who love spending time in their garden,” she says. “It made sense to move it to the back and, in the process, remove one of the load-bearing walls separating a long double reception room from the new kitchen. This opened up the space and created some flow at the back.
“Sliding doors also replaced a large window in the kitchen-diner,” she adds.
Clare worked with the owners from relatively early on. “Plans had been drawn up, which we consulted on and tweaked slightly, and the builders were booked in. This meant design turnaround and decision-making was fast.
“Ideally, you want to bring in an interior designer at the same time as an architect and before builders,” she says, “so all parties can consult and work together from the get-go.”
“Ideally, you want to bring in an interior designer at the same time as an architect and before builders,” she says, “so all parties can consult and work together from the get-go.”
The Shaker-style kitchen has a homely feel, and sports a blue-painted island for another dash of colour.
“I’d describe the style in this house as timeless, contemporary and fresh, with a modern take on traditional,” Clare says. “The kitchen is at the heart of the home for a family who love to cook.”
“I’d describe the style in this house as timeless, contemporary and fresh, with a modern take on traditional,” Clare says. “The kitchen is at the heart of the home for a family who love to cook.”
The kitchen layout was created with practicality in mind. “There was no need to go overboard on long runs of units as there’s a separate utility room off the kitchen,” Clare explains.
The Shaker-style cabinets were made by local joiners, chosen for their craftsmanship. “It meant we didn’t have to be restricted by standard sizes,” Clare says. “We also wanted some tongue-and-groove detailing on the island panels, and the joiners were able to accommodate this with ease.”
The worktop in this kitchen is quartz in marble-style Noble Carrera with light veining.
The Shaker-style cabinets were made by local joiners, chosen for their craftsmanship. “It meant we didn’t have to be restricted by standard sizes,” Clare says. “We also wanted some tongue-and-groove detailing on the island panels, and the joiners were able to accommodate this with ease.”
The worktop in this kitchen is quartz in marble-style Noble Carrera with light veining.
The island has room for two barstools and a fair few books. “It’s a place for the boys or guests to perch while dishes are being prepared and cooked,” Clare says.
Open shelves in the far corner offer an opportunity for yet more colour in the form of retro crockery.
Open shelves in the far corner offer an opportunity for yet more colour in the form of retro crockery.
The dining table has a zinc top, making it practical for day-to-day family life.
Table, Loaf. Replica Eames chairs, Cult Furniture.
Table, Loaf. Replica Eames chairs, Cult Furniture.
The airy living room has a relaxed, timeless vibe, with a subtle nod to midcentury style.
“The owners fell in love with a navy and mustard colour combination, which is at the core of the design for the room,” Clare says.
“As this is quite a traditional colour pairing, it was important for us to bring it up to date, for example with the plush velvets of the chairs and the graphic Matisse print,” she says.
Sofa; rug, both Sofa.com. Coffee tables, Ikea. Velvet chairs, Made.com.
“The owners fell in love with a navy and mustard colour combination, which is at the core of the design for the room,” Clare says.
“As this is quite a traditional colour pairing, it was important for us to bring it up to date, for example with the plush velvets of the chairs and the graphic Matisse print,” she says.
Sofa; rug, both Sofa.com. Coffee tables, Ikea. Velvet chairs, Made.com.
White walls run throughout the family living area, creating a sense of space and light.
“Contemporary finishes, such as the white gloss of the wall-hung TV cabinet, and warm brass accents [of the side table, not seen] help to balance out the colour combination in here, and the more classic texture in the linens on the sofa,” Clare says.
“Contemporary finishes, such as the white gloss of the wall-hung TV cabinet, and warm brass accents [of the side table, not seen] help to balance out the colour combination in here, and the more classic texture in the linens on the sofa,” Clare says.
A multi-coloured rug is a cheerful addition in the kids’ room. Painting half the walls blue and half white adds bold colour without the space feeling too dark or heavy. The slim shelves make a feature of picture books.
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Rug, Modern Rugs.
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Rug, Modern Rugs.
Clare wanted to create a real sense of tranquillity in the master bedroom to give the couple a haven away from the hubbub. So while there’s still luscious colour, the volume is turned down.
“The use of pale pastels really helps give that serene feel,” she says.
“The use of pale pastels really helps give that serene feel,” she says.
Great artworks can be an important factor in a room, Clare says. “In here, the picture ties all the colours together.”
The geometric rug sharpens up the scheme.
The bathroom sticks to a classic monochrome design without being dull, thanks to stylish floor tiles. “We knew we wanted a pattern on the floor – it’s an easy way to lift a room and create some wow factor,” Clare says.
“The vanity unit ties in with the dark grey in the floor tiles and creates some contrast against the white wall tiles and sanitaryware,” she adds.
Floor tiles, Fired Earth.
“The vanity unit ties in with the dark grey in the floor tiles and creates some contrast against the white wall tiles and sanitaryware,” she adds.
Floor tiles, Fired Earth.
The cloakroom features a bold, graphic wallpaper. “This is always the one room in the house where clients let themselves have some cool wallpaper or punchy colours,” Clare says.
Geometric wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Tell us…
What do you think of this colourful home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Geometric wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Tell us…
What do you think of this colourful home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A professional couple with two young boys
Location Surrey
Property A three-storey modern detached house in a cul-de-sac
Size Five bedrooms and four bathrooms
Interior designer Clare Altarafi of Clare Elise Interiors
Photos by Chris Snook